Environmental Management Plan Water Mouse (Xeromys Myoides)
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Environmental Management Plan Water Mouse (Xeromys myoides) QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Rev 6 June 2013 Controlled Uncontrolled Restricted Confidential Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 Uncontrolled when printed QUEENSLAND CURTIS LNG PROJECT 2 of 36 Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 DOCUMENT INFORMATION SHEET TITLE: Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse (Xeromys myoides) PURPOSE AND SCOPE: This document is prepared and submitted for approval to SEWPC in response to and in satisfaction of: Conditions 16 and 17 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project - LNG Marine Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4401. Conditions 32 and 33 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project - LNG Plant and Onshore Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4402. Condition 12 and 29 (a) of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – Pipeline Network, EPBC No 2008/4399. In accordance with these conditions, this document applies to actions and approvals necessary prior to commencement and relates to the LNG facility and associated infrastructure. This Plan also has relevance to Condition 1 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – Shipping Activity associated with the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, EPBC No 2008/4405, inasmuch as it serves to identify any Water Mouse nesting in proximity to the QCLNG site, and therefore is relevant to the transit of vessels associated with construction and operation of these facilities. Conservation Status Given that fauna surveys carried out in accordance Biology with EPBC Act guidelines prior to this Management Distribution Habitat Preference Plan, by QGC and others, were unable to confirm the Phase One Threats and threatening processes presence of the Water Mouse, the current Plan utilized Confirmatory Pre-Clearance Survey Methods a two-phased Management Plan approach (opposite). Pre‐Clearance Survey Scope of Work Given the recent identification of Water Mouse in the (If local presence is confirmed) QCLNG project threats vicinity of the Narrows bundled crossing, this plan has Mitigating actions Phase Two Offsets been updated and impact mitigations have been Finalise Management Monitoring & management developed specific to this activity. 3 of 36 Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Scope of Document 5 1.2 Background 5 1.3 Document Revisions and Approval 6 1.4 Distribution and Intended Audience 6 1.5 Definitions 7 1.6 Referenced / Associated Documents 8 1.7 Responsibilities 8 1.7.1 Implementation of the Plan 8 1.7.2 Performance of survey field work 8 2.0 WATER MOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 10 2.1 Structure of the Plan 10 2.2 Relevant Ecology 10 2.2.1 Current legal status 10 2.2.2 Known Distribution 10 2.2.3 Known populations and regional relationships 11 2.2.4 LNG Industry EIS Surveys (pre October 2010) 12 2.2.5 Confirmed sightings from QGC pre-clearance surveys 14 2.2.6 Biology & Reproduction 14 2.2.7 Habitat Preferences 18 2.2.8 Known Threats 24 2.2.9 Threats Related to the QCLNG Project 25 2.2.10 Relevant Management Practices to Minimise Impacts 28 2.2.11 Proposed Offsets to Compensate for Impacts 33 3.0 REFERENCES 34 Table of Contents – Appendices Appendix A – Statement of Site Survey Findings 35 4 of 36 Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Scope of Document This document is prepared and submitted for approval to the Federal Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) in response to and in satisfaction of: Conditions 16 and 17 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project - LNG Marine Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4401. Conditions 32 and 33 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project - LNG Plant and Onshore Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4402. Condition 12 and 29 (a) of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – Pipeline Network, EPBC No 2008/4399. This Plan also has relevance to Condition 1 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – Shipping Activity associated with the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, EPBC No 2008/4405, inasmuch as it serves to identify any Water Mouse nesting in proximity to the QCLNG site, and therefore is relevant to the transit of vessels associated with construction and operation of these facilities. Given the presence of EPBC Act designated ‘likely habitat’ at the LNG site and along the Narrows bundled crossing section of QGC’s pipeline, this document applies to relevant portions of both Pipeline and Midstream works. QCLNG have divided the Narrows bundled crossing into five sections: Phillipies Landing Road Section – includes the linear pipeline corridor from approximately KP 334 to KP 336 and proposed associated infrastructure laydown area within the bushland environment on the western, ‘mainland’, side of the Narrows bundled crossing corridor. Creek Section – includes Humpy and Targinie Creeks, which are both tidal creeks fringed by tidal mangroves and adjacent mudflats. This section runs from approximately KP 336 to KP 337. Marshland Section – includes the tidally inundated, non-vegetated mudflats and mangrove environments to the south of Kangaroo Island between Targinie Creek and Friend Point. This section runs from approximately KP 337 to KP 339. The Narrows Section – refers to the deep body of water associated with the Narrows channel. This section runs from approximately KP 339 to KP 341. The Curtis Island Section – includes the linear corridor extending from south of Laird Point to the QCLNG LNG plant facility from approximately KP 341 to KP 346. Targeted surveys for Water Mouse were undertaken in the Phillipies Landing Road Section, the Creek Section, the Marshland Section, and the Curtis Island Section. The full text of the relevant SEWPC Conditions can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/index.html 1.2 Background This Water Mouse Environmental Management Plan (the Plan) has been prepared in response to confirmation of the presence of Water Mouse within the Narrows bundled crossing section of the QCLNG pipeline corridor footprint. Prior to May 2011 there were no confirmed sightings of the Water Mouse on the QCLNG sites (pipeline corridor or LNG site). The following is a brief description of the events that have occurred that have contributed to the development of this revised Plan: 5 of 36 Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 Pre-clearance surveys for Water Mouse were conducted in September and October of 2010 to determine the likelihood of occurrence and extent of potential habitat within the Project site. The Water Mouse was not detected during these surveys, however potential habitat was identified. QGC developed an Environmental Management Plan for the Water Mouse (revisions 1 – 3) based on the results of the 2010 pre-clearance surveys and submitted it to SEWPC for approval. Revision 3 of the Environmental Management Plan was approved by SEWPC on the 29th January 2011. Additional pre-clearance surveys for the Water Mouse and other threatened species were conducted in May, June and July 2011. The Water Mouse was identified to occur adjacent to the alignment on the Creek and Marshland sections of the Narrows bundled crossing from trapping surveys. In response to information about confirmed presence of Water Mouse, and according to Revision 3, this Plan was prepared to identify and manage potential impacts of the Project on the local Water Mouse population. This plan reflects QGC’s commitment to improving knowledge of the distribution and abundance of the Water Mouse in the Port Curtis region. 1.3 Document Revisions and Approval This document has been prepared by the QCLNG Environment team with assistance from GHD and RPS ecology experts. This document shall be reviewed and endorsed in accordance with the Document Information Sheet on Page 2 and the Project Document Approval Procedure. Activities that would require a revision to this document would include a significant scale change in construction methodology, or the identification of water mouse nests within the construction footprint. The revised management plan will then be submitted for the approval of the Minister. This document bears a revision status identifier that will change with each revision. All revisions to this document (after approval and distribution) will be subject to review and endorsement by the same functions as the original. The plan will be reviewed every 2 years for information relating to construction activity, ongoing fauna surveys and results and, if required, a plan revision will be initiated following each review. It is expected that this plan will be implemented over the construction period and subsequent monitoring period (5 years) post construction. 1.4 Distribution and Intended Audience This document is intended for Midstream and Pipeline Project Team members as well as other Project stakeholders. The document will be made available via the Document Management System and by direct distribution to relevant external parties. This document will be updated during subsequent project lifecycle stages and changes communicated to the project team as applicable. 6 of 36 Environmental Management Plan – Water Mouse QCLNG-AUS-PMT-ENV-PLN-0675 Revision 6– June 2013 1.5 Definitions In this document, the following definitions apply: Term Meaning Commencement of the As defined in the relevant Referral Conditions at action http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/index.html . SEWPC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Department Department means the Australian Government department responsible for administering Part 4 of the EPBC Act. SEWPC Conditions Conditions 16 and 17 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – LNG Marine Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4401. Conditions 32 and 33 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – LNG Plant and Onshore Facilities, EPBC No 2008/4402. Condition 1 of Queensland Curtis LNG Project – Shipping Activity associated with the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, EPBC No 2008/4405.